Heating device and system comprising the heating device

ABSTRACT

A heating device comprises an inner tank, an outer shell, and a heater. The inner tank is received in the outer shell. An inner tank opening and an inner tank inlet are each in communication with an inner tank chamber. An outer shell opening corresponds in position to the inner tank opening. An outer shell inlet and the outer shell opening are each in communication with an outer shell chamber. An outer shell through-hole corresponds in position to an inner tank outlet. One end of an electrical heating tube of the heater is disposed at a fixing portion and electrically connected to a control circuit. The other end of the electrical heating tube is received in the inner tank chamber. The control circuit includes an electric wire for communicating with the outside. A guide channel is formed between the inner tank and the outer shell.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to heating technology and, more particularly, to a heating device capable of heating water to a predetermined temperature instantly and a system comprising the heating device.

2. Description of Prior Art

A conventional heating device essentially comprises a heater and a chamber. The heater is received in the chamber. The chamber also stores water to be heated up later. After the heater has been started, the water in the chamber is heated up from a low temperature to a predetermined temperature gradually. Afterward, the water which has been heated up to the predetermined temperature is discharged from the chamber through an outlet in communication therewith, so as to supply warm/hot water.

However, to keep the water at a constant temperature, the heater has to be operating for a period of time which is often long, depending on the volume of the water stored in the chamber. As a result, the prior art has its drawbacks, including high heating costs and difficult in controlling the temperature of the stored water. Hence, there is still room for improving the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a heating device capable of heating up an inner tank efficiently and instantly to a predetermined temperature.

In order to achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides a heating device which comprises an inner tank, an outer shell and a heater, wherein the inner tank is received in the outer shell.

The inner tank comprises an inner tank chamber, an inner tank opening, an inner tank inlet and an inner tank outlet. The inner tank opening is in communication with the inner tank chamber. The inner tank inlet is in communication with the inner tank chamber. The inner tank outlet is in communication with the inner tank chamber.

The outer shell comprises an outer shell chamber, an outer shell opening, an outer shell inlet and an outer shell through-hole. The outer shell opening corresponds in position to the inner tank opening and is in communication with the outer shell chamber. The outer shell inlet is in communication with the outer shell chamber to admit an external water. The outer shell through-hole corresponds in position to the inner tank outlet to allow the inner tank outlet to be in communication with the outside of the outer shell.

The heater comprises a fixing portion, a control circuit and an electrical heating tube. One end of the electrical heating tube is disposed at the fixing portion and electrically connected to the control circuit. The other end of the electrical heating tube is received in the inner tank chamber. The fixing portion abuts against and covers the inner tank opening. The control circuit comprises an electric wire for communicating with the outside.

A guide channel is formed between an outer wall of the inner tank and an inner wall of the outer shell. The outer shell inlet is in communication with the guide channel. The inner tank inlet is in communication with the guide channel.

Preferably, the guide channel further comprises a guide vane. The guide vane is disposed at the outer shell inlet and extends spirally toward the inner tank inlet.

Preferably, the ratio of the capacity of the inner tank chamber to the capacity of the guide channel ranges from 1:1 to 1:15.

Preferably, the ratio of the diameter of the inner tank chamber to the diameter of the outer shell chamber ranges from 1:1.1 to 1:4.

The present invention further provides a heating system, comprising: the heating device; and a control unit including an electrical control module and a regulating valve, with the electrical control module electrically connected to the regulating valve, wherein one end of the regulating valve is in tubular communication with the outer shell inlet, and the other end of the regulating valve is in communication with an external water, wherein a control circuit of the heater is electrically connected to the electrical control module, wherein the electrical control module controls an electrical heating tube of the heating device such that the regulating valve regulates the flow rate of water admitted into the outer shell, thereby allowing the electrical heating tube to heat up the water to a predetermined temperature.

The structures, configurations, operation characteristics and intended advantages of the heating device of the present invention and the system comprising the heating device are illustrated with embodiments and described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heating device according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the heating device according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of the heating device according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cutaway view of the heating device according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the heating device according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the framework of a system according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The structural features and anticipated advantages of the present invention are illustrated with embodiments, depicted with drawings and described below. Like elements, components, objects, structures, systems, structures, devices, processes, methods or steps in the embodiments and drawings are denoted with identical reference numerals.

The present invention provides the first preferred embodiment of a heating device 10. Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 3, the heating device 10 essentially comprises an inner tank 20, an outer shell 30 and a heater 40.

The inner tank 20 comprises an inner tank chamber 21, an inner tank opening 23, an inner tank inlet 25 and an inner tank outlet 27. The inner tank opening 23 is in communication with the inner tank chamber 21. The inner tank inlet 25 is in communication with the inner tank chamber 21. The inner tank outlet 27 is in communication with the inner tank chamber 21. In the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner tank inlet 25 is positioned proximate to the inner tank opening 23 and distal to the inner tank outlet 27.

The outer shell 30 comprises an outer shell chamber 31, an outer shell opening 33, an outer shell inlet 35 and an outer shell through-hole 37. The inner tank 20 is received in the outer shell chamber 31 of the outer shell 30. The outer shell opening 33 corresponds in position to the inner tank opening 23 and is in communication with the outer shell chamber 31. The outer shell inlet 35 is in communication with the outer shell chamber 31 and admits an external water. The outer shell through-hole 37 corresponds in position to the inner tank outlet 27 and allows the inner tank outlet 27 to communicate with the outside of the outer shell 30. In the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer shell inlet 35 is positioned proximate to the outer shell outlet 37 and distal to the outer shell opening 33. The ratio of the diameter of the inner tank chamber 21 to the diameter of the outer shell chamber 31 ranges from 1:1.1 to 1:4.

The heater 40 comprises a fixing portion 41, a control circuit 43 and an electrical heating tube 45. One end of the electrical heating tube 45 is disposed at the fixing portion 41 and electrically connected to the control circuit 43. The other end of the electrical heating tube 45 is received in the inner tank chamber 21. The fixing portion 41 abuts against and covers the inner tank opening 23. The control circuit 43 comprises an electric wire (not shown) for communicating with the outside. In the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fixing portion 41 is partially protrudingly disposed at the outer shell opening 33 to allow the control circuit 43 to be in communication with the outside.

A guide channel 50 is formed between the outer wall of the inner tank 20 and the inner wall of the outer shell 30. The outer shell inlet 35 is in communication with the guide channel 50. The inner tank inlet 35 is in communication with the guide channel 50. The ratio of the capacity of the inner tank chamber 21 to the capacity of the guide channel 50 ranges from 1:1 to 1:15.

The technical features and advantages of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention are as follows: heating water to a predetermined temperature efficiently and instantly. With the guide channel 50 being formed between the outer wall of the inner tank 20 and the inner wall of the outer shell 30, an external water is introduced into the guide channel 50 through the outer shell inlet 35 and then into the inner tank chamber 21 through the inner tank inlet 25; meanwhile, once the electrical heating tube 45 of the heater 40 begins to heat up to a predetermined temperature, thermal conduction will indirectly enable water contained in the guide channel 50 to undergo a pre-heating process and rise in temperature. Afterward, the water is heated up by the electrical heating tube 45 of the heater 40 until it reaches the predetermined temperature. Finally, the hot water is discharged from the inner tank outlet 27 to the outside, thereby enhancing the efficiency of heating the water and raising its temperature.

Therefore, there is little difference between the capacity of the inner tank chamber 21 and the capacity of the outer shell chamber 31 because they are correlated by a specific range of ratios. Hence, the electrical heating tube 45 can heat up the water in the inner tank chamber 21 instantly. Therefore, the heating cost of the heater 40 is greatly reduced. Furthermore, the external water is directly introduced into the guide channel 50 of the heating device 10, then introduced into the inner tank chamber 21, and eventually discharged from the inner tank outlet 35 to the outside; hence, unlike the prior art which requires pre-heating and then storing the external water in a specific chamber for later use, the present invention keeps the quality and temperature of the external water under control.

The technical features and advantages of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention are described above. The technical features and advantages of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention are described below.

Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a heating device 10A in the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as the heating device 10 in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention and has specific distinguishing technical features described below.

The guide channel 50A further comprises a guide vane 51. The guide vane 51 is disposed at the outer shell inlet 35A and extends spirally toward the inner tank inlet 25A.

In the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guide vane 51 is in the number of one for illustrative sake, but the guide vane 51 may also be in a plural number. The guide vane 51 is disposed on the outer wall of the inner tank 20A or the inner wall of the outer shell 30A.

Therefore, the external water is smoothly guided to the inner tank inlet 25A by the guide vane 51, thereby augmenting the mobile journey and guidance efficiency of the water in the guide channel 50A. Hence, the effect of the pre-heating of water is indirectly enhanced.

The technical features and advantages of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention are described above. The technical features and advantages of the third preferred embodiment of the present invention are described below.

Referring to FIG. 6, a heating system 60 provided by the present invention and applicable to the first and second preferred embodiments comprises the heating device 10, 10A and a control unit 70 disclosed in the first preferred embodiment or second preferred embodiment.

The control unit 70 comprises an electrical control module 71 and a regulating valve 73. The electrical control module 71 is electrically connected to the regulating valve 73. One end of the regulating valve 73 is in tubular communication with an outer shell inlet 35B of the outer shell 30B. The other end of the regulating valve 73 is in communication with an external water. A control circuit 43B of the heater 40B comprises a plurality of electric wires 431 electrically connected to the electrical control module 71. The electrical control module 71 controls the electrical heating tube (not shown) such that the regulating valve 73 regulates the flow rate of water admitted into the outer shell 30B, thereby allowing the electrical heating tube (not shown) to heat up the water to a predetermined temperature. Afterward, the water is discharged from the outer shell 30B through the inner tank outlet 27B.

Persons skilled in the art understand that the above description and the embodiments are illustrative of structures, methods, processes and intended advantages of the present invention rather than restrictive of the claims of the present invention, and that the replacements or changes of any other equivalent elements, components, objects, structures, devices, methods or processes should also be covered by the claims of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A heating device, comprising: an inner tank, an outer shell and a heater, with the inner tank received in the outer shell, wherein the inner tank includes an inner tank chamber, an inner tank opening, an inner tank inlet and an inner tank outlet, with the inner tank opening being in communication with the inner tank chamber, the inner tank inlet being in communication with the inner tank chamber, and the inner tank outlet being in communication with the inner tank chamber, wherein the outer shell includes an outer shell chamber, an outer shell opening, an outer shell inlet and an outer shell through-hole, with the outer shell opening corresponding in position to the inner tank opening and being in communication with the outer shell chamber, wherein the outer shell inlet is in communication with the outer shell chamber and admits an external water, wherein the outer shell through-hole corresponds in position to the inner tank outlet, thereby allowing the inner tank outlet to be in communication with an outside of the outer shell, wherein the heater includes a fixing portion, a control circuit and an electrical heating tube, wherein an end of the electrical heating tube is disposed at the fixing portion and electrically connected to the control circuit, wherein another end of the electrical heating tube is received in the inner tank chamber, with the fixing portion abutting against and covering the inner tank opening, wherein the control circuit includes an electric wire for communicating with an outside, wherein a guide channel is formed between an outer wall of the inner tank and an inner wall of the outer shell, with the outer shell inlet being in communication with the guide channel, and the inner tank inlet being in communication with the guide channel.
 2. The heating device of claim 1, wherein the guide channel further comprises a guide vane disposed at the outer shell inlet and extending spirally toward the inner tank inlet.
 3. The heating device of claim 2, wherein the guide vane is disposed on an outer wall of the inner tank.
 4. The heating device of claim 2, wherein the guide vane is disposed on an inner wall of the outer shell.
 5. The heating device of claim 1, wherein a ratio of a capacity of the inner tank chamber to a capacity of the guide channel ranges from 1:1 to 1:15.
 6. The heating device of claim 2, wherein a ratio of a capacity of the inner tank chamber to a capacity of the guide channel ranges from 1:1 to 1:15.
 7. The heating device of claim 3, wherein a ratio of a capacity of the inner tank chamber to a capacity of the guide channel ranges from 1:1 to 1:15.
 8. The heating device of claim 4, wherein a ratio of a capacity of the inner tank chamber to a capacity of the guide channel ranges from 1:1 to 1:15.
 9. The heating device of claim 1, wherein a ratio of a diameter of the inner tank chamber to a diameter of the outer shell chamber ranges from 1:1.1 to 1:4.
 10. The heating device of claim 2, wherein a ratio of a diameter of the inner tank chamber to a diameter of the outer shell chamber ranges from 1:1.1 to 1:4.
 11. The heating device of claim 3, wherein a ratio of a diameter of the inner tank chamber to a diameter of the outer shell chamber ranges from 1:1.1 to 1:4.
 12. The heating device of claim 4, wherein a ratio of a diameter of the inner tank chamber to a diameter of the outer shell chamber ranges from 1:1.1 to 1:4.
 13. A heating system, comprising: the heating device of claim 1; and a control unit including an electrical control module and a regulating valve, with the electrical control module electrically connected to the regulating valve, wherein an end of the regulating valve is in tubular communication with the outer shell inlet, and another end of the regulating valve is in communication with an external water, wherein a control circuit of the heater is electrically connected to the electrical control module, wherein the electrical control module controls the electrical heating tube such that the regulating valve regulates a flow rate of water admitted into the outer shell, thereby allowing the electrical heating tube to heat up the water to a predetermined temperature.
 14. A heating system, comprising: the heating device of claim 2; and a control unit including an electrical control module and a regulating valve, with the electrical control module electrically connected to the regulating valve, wherein an end of the regulating valve is in tubular communication with the outer shell inlet, and another end of the regulating valve is in communication with an external water, wherein a control circuit of the heater is electrically connected to the electrical control module, wherein the electrical control module controls the electrical heating tube such that the regulating valve regulates a flow rate of water admitted into the outer shell, thereby allowing the electrical heating tube to heat up the water to a predetermined temperature.
 15. A heating system, comprising: the heating device of claim 3; and a control unit including an electrical control module and a regulating valve, with the electrical control module electrically connected to the regulating valve, wherein an end of the regulating valve is in tubular communication with the outer shell inlet, and another end of the regulating valve is in communication with an external water, wherein a control circuit of the heater is electrically connected to the electrical control module, wherein the electrical control module controls the electrical heating tube such that the regulating valve regulates a flow rate of water admitted into the outer shell, thereby allowing the electrical heating tube to heat up the water to a predetermined temperature.
 16. A heating system, comprising: the heating device of claim 4; and a control unit including an electrical control module and a regulating valve, with the electrical control module electrically connected to the regulating valve, wherein an end of the regulating valve is in tubular communication with the outer shell inlet, and another end of the regulating valve is in communication with an external water, wherein a control circuit of the heater is electrically connected to the electrical control module, wherein the electrical control module controls the electrical heating tube such that the regulating valve regulates a flow rate of water admitted into the outer shell, thereby allowing the electrical heating tube to heat up the water to a predetermined temperature.
 17. A heating system, comprising: the heating device of claim 5; and a control unit including an electrical control module and a regulating valve, with the electrical control module electrically connected to the regulating valve, wherein an end of the regulating valve is in tubular communication with the outer shell inlet, and another end of the regulating valve is in communication with an external water, wherein a control circuit of the heater is electrically connected to the electrical control module, wherein the electrical control module controls the electrical heating tube such that the regulating valve regulates a flow rate of water admitted into the outer shell, thereby allowing the electrical heating tube to heat up the water to a predetermined temperature.
 18. A heating system, comprising: the heating device of claim 9; and a control unit including an electrical control module and a regulating valve, with the electrical control module electrically connected to the regulating valve, wherein an end of the regulating valve is in tubular communication with the outer shell inlet, and another end of the regulating valve is in communication with an external water, wherein a control circuit of the heater is electrically connected to the electrical control module, wherein the electrical control module controls the electrical heating tube such that the regulating valve regulates a flow rate of water admitted into the outer shell, thereby allowing the electrical heating tube to heat up the water to a predetermined temperature. 